Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

The Nikkei just released an <a href="https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO65246280Q0A021C2MM8000/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> suggesting that home decoration and home accessory giant <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> is considering making a rival bid for homecenter and furnishing retailer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP)</a>, which is currently under offer from homecenter industry #2 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dcm-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13042:1" rel="noopener">Dcm Holdings (3050 JP)</a>.This throws the cat in amongst the pigeons.  In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/dcm-does-a-full-takeover-of-shimachu-looks-like-a-strong-price-look-again" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43806" rel="noopener">DCM Does a Full Takeover of Shimachu - Looks Like a Strong Price; Look Again</a> I argued the price offered by DCM was not as full as it could be. The attractive traits of Shimachu at the ¥4200 TOB Price included the fact that it is Tokyo-based, where average income, high population density, and the slowest demographic decay of any region make for a (relatively) attractive addressable market, and the fact that it has a relatively attractive Land/Property basket which could be sold and leased back. The TOB price was effectively the book value of that PP&amp;E basket, which meant a sale and leaseback would make the takeover "free."That meant DCM's deal for Shimachu could be vulnerable. There aren't that many Tokyo-based distribution assets in the space, which is seen as both ripe for consolidation and as a strong beneficiary of the covid WFH "nesting" phenomenon in particular and an ongoing trend to greater refurb and leisure spending in the bigger picture.I expect this pops on the open. It should stay popped. Watch for more detail from Nitori. And I expect DCM won't give up easily if Nitori comes in. More details on where this could go below the fold.

The Nikkei just released an article suggesting that home decoration and home accessory giant Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) is considering making a rival bid for homecenter and furnishing retailer Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP), which is currently under offer from homecenter industry #2 Dcm Holdings (3050 JP).This throws the cat in amongst the pigeons.  In DCM Does a Full Takeover of Shimachu - Looks Like a Strong Price; Look Again I argued the price offered by DCM was not as full as it could be. The attractive traits of Shimachu at the ¥4200 TOB Price included the fact that it is Tokyo-based, where average income, high population density, and the slowest demographic decay of any region make for a (relatively) attractive addressable market, and the fact that it has a relatively attractive Land/Property basket which could be sold and leased back. The TOB price was effectively the book value of that PP&amp;E basket, which meant a sale and leaseback would make the takeover "free."That meant DCM's deal for Shimachu could be vulnerable. There aren't that many Tokyo-based distribution assets in the space, which is seen as both ripe for consolidation and as a strong beneficiary of the covid WFH "nesting" phenomenon in particular and an ongoing trend to greater refurb and leisure spending in the bigger picture.I expect this pops on the open. It should stay popped. Watch for more detail from Nitori. And I expect DCM won't give up easily if Nitori comes in. More details on where this could go below the fold. 

Nitori To Make a Rival Bid for Shimachu? More Fun To Go

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/118/original/2020-10-03_15-34-01.png?1601706874" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163118"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>
WARMING UP - Earnings momentum is finally on the 'up'. Our Interim Forecast/Revision Score data series which runs from March to September finished 2020 on a two-month high, while both the Annual series are above their September low points. The divergence between domestic non-manufacturing and globally-orientated manufacturing companies continues to widen exemplified by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honda-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1" rel="noopener">Honda Motor (7267 JP)</a>'s announcement of their decision to pull out of Formula 1 from the end of the 2021 season. Although trailing earnings have also stabilised, operating and net income forecasts and their 'gap to trailing' continue to increase. The forward multiple is 32.5 times. 
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/261/original/2020-10-04_07-12-52.png?1601763187" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163261"></figure>• BEST &amp; WORST •
</div><div>Our best and worst pair is home centre <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu (8184 JP)</a> for whom a rumoured bid from peer DCM has emerged and diaper machinery maker and small-cap value investor favourite and Unicharm proxy<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zuiko-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5568:1" rel="noopener"> Zuiko (6279 JP)</a>. </div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/135/original/2020-10-03_17-07-27.png?1601712488" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163135"></figure><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/163/136/original/2020-10-03_17-08-41.png?1601712545" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="163136"></figure><hr><div>DAILY STATS</div><hr><div>18 Quarterly Results</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Results Score: 56% Positive / 11% Neutral / 33% Negative</li>
<li>Average Results Score Change: 0.0 points</li>
<li>Average % Change in Revenue: -9.6% Quarter YoY / -5.2% Rolling TTM YoY </li>
<li>Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.6ppt</li>
<li>Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 33%</li>
</ul></div><hr><div>9 Annual • 6 Interim Forecasts/Revisions</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 33% Positive /22% Neutral / 44% Negative</li>
<li>Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 17% Neutral / 33% Negative</li>
<li>Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.1 points</li>
</ul></div>


Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics
WARMING UP - Earnings momentum is finally on the 'up'. Our Interim Forecast/Revision Score data series which runs from March to September finished 2020 on a two-month high, while both the Annual series are above their September low points. The divergence between domestic non-manufacturing and globally-orientated manufacturing companies continues to widen exemplified by Honda Motor (7267 JP)'s announcement of their decision to pull out of Formula 1 from the end of the 2021 season. Although trailing earnings have also stabilised, operating and net income forecasts and their 'gap to trailing' continue to increase. The forward multiple is 32.5 times. 
• BEST &amp; WORST •
Our best and worst pair is home centre Shimachu (8184 JP) for whom a rumoured bid from peer DCM has emerged and diaper machinery maker and small-cap value investor favourite and Unicharm proxy Zuiko (6279 JP). DAILY STATS18 Quarterly Results
Results Score: 56% Positive / 11% Neutral / 33% Negative
Average Results Score Change: 0.0 points
Average % Change in Revenue: -9.6% Quarter YoY / -5.2% Rolling TTM YoY 
Average Operating Profit Margin Change: -2.6ppt
Percentage Making Quarterly Losses: 33%
9 Annual • 6 Interim Forecasts/Revisions
Annual Forecast/Revision Score: 33% Positive /22% Neutral / 44% Negative
Interim Forecast/Revision Score Change: 50% Positive / 17% Neutral / 33% Negative
Average Forecast/Revision Score Change: -2.1 points


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> had a great 1H2020, with sales up 12.7% and operating profit jumping 45% but competitors are circling.
Cainz, the sector-leading home centre chain owned by the unlisted Beisia Group, opened two new stores for its Style Factory concept over the summer, both around Tokyo.
The new interiors and homeware stores look ideal for rapid rollout in shopping centres given the current surge in demand for home merchandise and will prove a challenger to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> and possibly IKEA.
Style Factory could provide Beisia with same level of success as its other subsidiary retailer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/workman-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8467:1" rel="noopener">Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP).</a> 
The move is also a sign of the growing maturity of the homecentre sector as much as the recent round of M&amp;A including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/a-new-era-of-home-centre-consolidation-starts-as-dcm-buys-shimachu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this month's deal</a> between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dcm-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13042:1" rel="noopener">Dcm Holdings (3050 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP).</a>

Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) had a great 1H2020, with sales up 12.7% and operating profit jumping 45% but competitors are circling.
Cainz, the sector-leading home centre chain owned by the unlisted Beisia Group, opened two new stores for its Style Factory concept over the summer, both around Tokyo.
The new interiors and homeware stores look ideal for rapid rollout in shopping centres given the current surge in demand for home merchandise and will prove a challenger to Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) and possibly IKEA.
Style Factory could provide Beisia with same level of success as its other subsidiary retailer, Workman Co Ltd (7564 JP). 
The move is also a sign of the growing maturity of the homecentre sector as much as the recent round of M&amp;A including this month's deal between Dcm Holdings (3050 JP) and Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP).

Targeting Nitori: Cainz Follows Workman’s Success into Homeware Retailing with Style Factory Chain

Leading home centre group <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dcm-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13042:1" rel="noopener">Dcm Holdings (3050 JP)</a> announced it will acquire <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimachu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5235:1" rel="noopener">Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP)</a>, the seventh largest chain, in November. The move will catapult DCM back to the top of the ranking.
The deal could also provide a catalyst for further consolidation in a sector that’s long overdue for more after remaining static for much of the past 15 years. While the drugstore and homecentre sectors are very different, they do share one similarity: the leaders dominate in certain territories but none are true national retailers. In drugstores, national coverage through M&amp;A has been happening in the last two years but in homecentres only two firms are cross-regional.
While the leading 10 chains had a 65.5%, share and the top 30 more than 90% in FY2019, to scale effectively against competition from all sides, true national leaders will have to emerge.
The proposed takeover is also an expression of the current flux in the homecentre market as consumers increase further their consumption of home decoration and home improvement category. Although this is a long-term trend, homecentre retailers were slow to exploit this, leaving the field to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nitori-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20386:1" rel="noopener">Nitori Holdings (9843 JP)</a> and other dedicated home decoration retailers.
There are now more signs of the sector leaders doing more to widen private label merchandise ranges to take a slice of this growing market, and some are even launching dedicated chains (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/targeting-nitori-cainz-follows-workman-s-success-into-homeware-retailing-with-style-factory-chain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see this insight for a detailed look at the new threat to Nitori from Cainz</a>, the unlisted homecentre sector leader – at least until DCM absorbs Shimachu). See this separate insight for more on this. Shimachu will be a key help to DCM in targeting this market given its more consumer-oriented history.
I.e. this is not just another old-style Japan retail case of expansion for the sake of it, but a genuinely interesting and useful strategic deal.

Leading home centre group Dcm Holdings (3050 JP) announced it will acquire Shimachu Co Ltd (8184 JP), the seventh largest chain, in November. The move will catapult DCM back to the top of the ranking.
The deal could also provide a catalyst for further consolidation in a sector that’s long overdue for more after remaining static for much of the past 15 years. While the drugstore and homecentre sectors are very different, they do share one similarity: the leaders dominate in certain territories but none are true national retailers. In drugstores, national coverage through M&amp;A has been happening in the last two years but in homecentres only two firms are cross-regional.
While the leading 10 chains had a 65.5%, share and the top 30 more than 90% in FY2019, to scale effectively against competition from all sides, true national leaders will have to emerge.
The proposed takeover is also an expression of the current flux in the homecentre market as consumers increase further their consumption of home decoration and home improvement category. Although this is a long-term trend, homecentre retailers were slow to exploit this, leaving the field to Nitori Holdings (9843 JP) and other dedicated home decoration retailers.
There are now more signs of the sector leaders doing more to widen private label merchandise ranges to take a slice of this growing market, and some are even launching dedicated chains (see this insight for a detailed look at the new threat to Nitori from Cainz, the unlisted homecentre sector leader – at least until DCM absorbs Shimachu). See this separate insight for more on this. Shimachu will be a key help to DCM in targeting this market given its more consumer-oriented history.
I.e. this is not just another old-style Japan retail case of expansion for the sake of it, but a genuinely interesting and useful strategic deal.

A New Era of Home Centre Consolidation Starts as DCM Buys Shimachu

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: NTT Docomo, Evergrande Properties/Auto, Wilmar, Swire, Immunomedics

Japan

DCM Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company established through merger of Kahma, Daiki, and Homac.  The Company operates home center chain stores throughout Japan.  DCM Japan Holdings offers merchandise such as home improvement products, household utensils, gardening supplies, sporting/leisure goods, and pet products .

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DCM Holdings (3050 JP)

Nitori To Make a Rival Bid for Shimachu? More Fun To Go

DCM's bid for Shimachu looked good. It wasn't that good. The capital structure and location base means that the company was easily worth 30% more,...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

• BEST & WORST • The release of earnings announcements, forecasts and revisions was unaffected, and our best and worst pair is medical wear...

Campbell Gunn

Targeting Nitori: Cainz Follows Workman’s Success into Homeware Retailing with Style Factory Chain

Cainz, the sector-leading home centre chain owned by Beisia Group, opened two new stores for its Style Factory concept over the summer, both around...

Michael Causton

A New Era of Home Centre Consolidation Starts as DCM Buys Shimachu

Leading home centre group DCM announced it will acquire Shimachu, the seventh largest chain, in November. The move will catapult DCM back to the...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: NTT Docomo, Evergrande Properties/Auto, Wilmar, Swire, Immunomedics

Last Week in Event SPACE ... Plus, other events, CCASS movements and Mood Spins. (This insight covers specific insights & comments...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

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Nitori To Make a Rival Bid for Shimachu? More Fun To Go

DCM's bid for Shimachu looked good. It wasn't that good. The capital structure and location base means that the company was easily worth 30% more,...

Travis Lundy

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/​​​​​02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon

• BEST & WORST • The release of earnings announcements, forecasts and revisions was unaffected, and our best and worst pair is medical wear...

Campbell Gunn

Targeting Nitori: Cainz Follows Workman’s Success into Homeware Retailing with Style Factory Chain

Cainz, the sector-leading home centre chain owned by Beisia Group, opened two new stores for its Style Factory concept over the summer, both around...

Michael Causton

A New Era of Home Centre Consolidation Starts as DCM Buys Shimachu

Leading home centre group DCM announced it will acquire Shimachu, the seventh largest chain, in November. The move will catapult DCM back to the...

Michael Causton

Last Week in Event SPACE: NTT Docomo, Evergrande Properties/Auto, Wilmar, Swire, Immunomedics

Last Week in Event SPACE ... Plus, other events, CCASS movements and Mood Spins. (This insight covers specific insights & comments...

David Blennerhassett

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 10/02 DCM (Under)Bids for Shimachu, Zuiko>Unicharm, Ktk>Canon